Phantom of the Opera gets real in Vegas

1.00pm

The hit musical Phantom of the Opera is to open in Las Vegas in a purpose-built theatre.

A 90-minute version of the show is due to open in 2006 and will be a permanent attraction at the Venetian Resort hotel and casino,

Earlier this year the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical became the second longest running Broadway musical of all time - surpassed only by another of his hits, Cats.

The show had its world premiere on October 9, 1986, at Her Majesty's Theatre in London.

It went on to win every major British theatre award including the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards.

Worldwide more than 100 million people have seen the Phantom of the Opera and there have been more than 66,000 performances in 110 cities in 20 countries.